Johnny's Weekends
Reviews on popular products including solar, generators, power stations RV products and more.
Find tested and approved products for your everyday needs to keep you powered and on the move.
10/03/2026
Check out my latest video as I discuss issues with predators 4200 watt generator along with other models. Not sure what’s going on. If you own any of the newer models what’s your experience??
I Returned My Harbor Freight Predator 4200 After 2 Months…..Here’s Why!
I Returned My Harbor Freight Predator 4200 After 2 Months…..Here’s Why! I hope this information helped you on deciding if the Predator 4200...
09/19/2026
Running out of juice too fast? ⚡️ Most people think they're locked into the factory battery size on their power station, but you can actually expand the runtime and capacity on almost any setup.
In this video, I break down the exact steps and wiring options to safely increase your power bank capacity so you can stay off-grid longer without dropping thousands on a whole new system.
Drop your current setup in the comments—what power station are you running, and what are you trying to power? 👇🏼
How To Easily Expand ANY Power Station!- SAVE$$!
How To Easily Expand ANY Power Station!- SAVE$$! What power station do you have? And have you done this expansion al...
I don’t do a lot of Victron but I like to stay familiar and up to date with many systems when I can.
Spent a couple days diving deep into Victron system builds and diagnostics! ⚡️ Getting hands-on with the wiring, communication networks, and troubleshooting setups that keep off-grid rigs running smooth.
Whether you're building out a van, RV, or cabin, proper diagnostics make or break a system.
Are you running blue in your setup, or what system do you trust off-grid? Let me know below! 👇🏼
Redding roots festival concert stage. Powering part of this with the Anker E10. This is fully weatherproof which we need more options like this! What are your thoughts?? Anker SOLIX US
Power one of tonight’s stages with the Anker E 10. It’s outdoor weather rated, no worries about weather dust and more!
08/11/2026
BLUETTI RV5 UPDATE...!
So after playing with the RV5 and trying to get it to work with 3rd party batteries...
So calibrating the rv5 and battery to 100% did work. But I had a error out on RV5 when it said 23% and the battery still had 6% remaining. Reset and worked for another 10 mins and error came back at 5%.
Settings in RV5 shouldnt matter as it cant read voltage. It should just work until 3rd party battery shuts off.
When charging 3rd party battery with say external solar charger or a 48v battery charger, rv5 will not recognize this so has no way to know if it can keep running. So eventually it will shut off again when percentage gauge goes to zero. Even if you set settings in app to 1000ah it made no difference as the energy meter on RV5 keep going down. So again it will shut off. Although I did find some differences using Lead acid settings, as it would change the percent. But still nothing ever would stay in the app. At least it would never confirm or hold the settings.
The reason for external solar charging, is to get away from the poor low solar input limit of RV5 and its max of 50v.
Also with a external 48v battery charger this will draw about 1750 watts max leaving you to be able to use much smaller generator or charging source.
Also external DC charging allows for no load interruptions verses using the onboard AC charger.
Now this system may work with some setups and some work arounds, im sure its possible. But I know at some point you will have to do the full charge cycle to reset everything to 100%. Because I know with enough use the RV5 will get out of sync or way out of sync of the batteries.
For me a simple battery, a shunt, a solar charge controller, and inverter setup like the old days is way more simpler and will just work. And will be cheaper. Yes more wiring and not so plug and play, but I think im done trying to get RV5 to work with 3rd party battery setup. It should have to have this much work arounds especially for the average buyer or user. You shouldn't have to get something to work or find a bunch of work arounds.
Now for us experienced people, sure we can figure it out and make it work. But again for the newer or average non solar geek, they shouldnt have to.
So I think this concludes me trying to make the RV5 work with 3rd party batts.
If you like pass this info along if you want so others can see.
Hope this helps.
07/15/2026
Hey guys wellbots is doing a big sale on many products. Ecoflow products including batteries and more also Jackery!
13% OFF with code JOHNNY13
All Jackery products: https://www.wellbots.com/collections/jackery
13% OFF on top Ecoflow models:
Ecoflow DELTA Pro Ultra X Inverter +
DELTA Pro Ultra X Battery x 2 + FREE Powerinsight 2 Monitor -> https://www.wellbots.com/products/ecoflow-delta-pro-ultra-x-inverter-delta-pro-ultra-x-battery-x-2-powerinsight-2-monitor
EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra Power Station -> https://www.wellbots.com/products/ecoflow-delta-pro-ultra-power-station
DELTA Pro 3 -> https://www.wellbots.com/products/ecoflow-delta-pro-3-portable-power-station
EcoFlow DELTA 3 max -> https://www.wellbots.com/products/ecoflow-delta-3-max-portable-power-station-gray
Ecoflow DELTA 3 Ultra -> https://www.wellbots.com/products/ecoflow-delta-3-ultra-portable-power-station
Ecoflow DELTA 3 Ultra Portable Power Station The EcoFlow DELTA 3 Ultra Portable Power Station is a cutting-edge energy solution built for both home backup and off grid adventures.
Just do things!!
Break in on new Predator 4200 dual fuel generator Harbor Freight
06/20/2026
New video out on Harbor Freights new Predator 4200 dual fuel Harbor Freight
Check it out First Look At Predators New Compact Dual Fuel Generator!
First Look At Predators New Compact Dual Fuel Generator! What are your thoughts on Predator 4200 Watt Dual Fuel Super Quiet ...
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